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Bioethics for Clinicians: 17. Conflict of Interest in Research, Education and Patient Care

Author

Lemmens, Trudo

Singer, Peter A.

Bibliographic Citation

Canadian Medical Association Journal. 1998 Oct 20; 159(8): 960-965.

Abstract

A conflict of interest occurs in a situation in which professional
judgement regarding a primary interest, such as research, education or patient
care, may be unduly influenced by a secondary interest, such as financial gain
or personal prestige. Conflicts of interest exist in every walk of life,
including medicine and science. There is nothing inherently unethical in
finding oneself in a conflict of interest. Rather, the key questions are
whether one recognizes the conflict and how one deals with it. Strategies
include disclosing the conflict, establishing a system of review and
authorization, and prohibiting the activities that lead to the conflict.